Celebrations as first ever Clean Pacific Roundtable comes to a close

The inaugural meeting of the Clean Pacific Roundtable concluded in Suva on 28 July, 2016. Over the course of four days, a total of 96 participants from 21 different countries and territories discussed key priorities for the implementation of the Pacific Regional Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy 2016-2025 – known as Cleaner Pacific 2025.

The Clean Pacific Roundtable was coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with the generous support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the European Union.

Delegates in session at the Clean Pacific Roundtable in Suva. Photo: A.Bertram/SPREP

Hot topics of conversation included the improved management of disaster waste and green waste, the importance of establishing public-private partnerships, the viability of a regional recycling network and the emerging threat of marine debris.

Key elements from the Roundtable discussions were captured in an Outcome Statement which was endorsed, in principle, by participants in the meeting's final session.

In his closing remarks to the meeting, Mr Shiro Amano, former Chief Advisor of the JICA-funded Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries (J-PRISM) project, noted the strong level of engagement and robust dialogue that endured through all meeting sessions:

"I'd like to congratulate all of you for your participation, engagement and success. The Clean Pacific Roundtable serves a good example to other countries and agencies to work in coordination and cooperation - not competition. On behalf of JICA I extend my deep appreciation to everybody involved in the success of this meeting."

These comments were echoed by Mr Jesús Laviña, Head of Section for Natural Resources and Infrastructure at the European Union Delegation for the Pacific:

"The Clean Pacific Roundtable is something that has been anticipated for a long time. Now that it is a reality, and we have seen first-hand how well it works, I have no doubt that it will exist into the future as a pivotal mechanism for improving and innovating waste prevention and management in the Pacific region."

Mr Jesús Laviña, Head of Section for Natural Resources and Infrastructure at the European Union Delegation for the Pacific, addresses delegates at the Clean Pacific Roundtable. Photo: A.Carvan/SPREP

The inaugural Clean Pacific Roundtable was held from 25 - 28 July 2016 at the Holiday Inn, Suva,

In attendance at the Roundtable were delegates from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Joining country and territory delegates at the Roundtable were representatives from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), European Union, World Bank, Asia Development Bank, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, PRIF Coordination Office, Melanesian Spearhead Group, University of the South Pacific, University of Newcastle, Griffith University, the Pacific Community, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, POETCom and a range of private sector organisations.